Please join us for this special screening followed by a discussion with
RACHEL REID
Human Rights Watch
6:30 - 7:00 p.m. Registration and Reception
(Screening begins promptly at 7:00 p.m.)
The Tribeca Grand Hotel
2 Avenue of the Americas (between White and Walker Streets)
New York, NY
ADMISSION:
UNA Members: FREE
Non-Members: $10
Since 2005, millions of television viewers in Afghanistan have tuned into the country's wildly popular American Idol-style series, "Afghan Star." For some Afghan people, this is their first encounter with any form of democracy. Over 2,000 people have auditioned and even though it could be life-threatening in the current cultural climate, three women came forward to try their luck.
Winner of the Directing and Audience Award in the 2009 Sundance Film Festival's World Documentary competition, this timely film follows the stories of four young finalists, two men and two remarkably brave women, as they risk everything to become the nation's favorite performer. Millions of people watch the show and vote by text from their cell phones for their favorite singers. This show has changed the social and political climate in Afghanistan. It isn't just a reality show; it is an amazing and compelling window into the country's tenuous, ongoing struggle for modernity.
Following the film, we will hold a discussion and Q&A with Rachel Reid, the development producer for "Afghan Star." She has lived and worked in Afghanistan for more than two years with Human Rights Watch. Prior to joining HRW, Rachel worked for many years for the BBC in Afghanistan, Cairo and London. Rachel began her BBC career in Westminster, covering political news, having left Oxford University with a degree in Politics, Philosophy and Economics.
"One of the most hopeful and heart-rending movies I've seen this year." Boston Globe
"Afghan Star goes much deeper, eloquently conveying the tensions, small victories and shattering setbacks of a fragile democracy struggling to regain a once-flourishing culture." The Washington Post
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Only UNA-NYC Members have guaranteed admission to all our film events, and attend for free or pay the discounted Members' admission. Our events are well-attended, so we strongly encourage membership with UNA-NYC to guarantee your seats!
UNA-NYC is grateful for the generosity of the Tribeca Grand Hotel, for allowing our organization the consistent booking of their state of the art screening room for our Film Talk series.
Nearest subway stations to access the Tribeca Grand Hotel area:
Canal Street station: A, E, C trains
Franklin Street station: No. 1 train
Also close, but requires a little walk:
Canal Street Station station: N, Q, R, W trains
View the Tribeca Grand Hotel neighborhood map and more directions